Penguins' Nightmare Continues: Top Forward Sidelined Long-Term After Surgery
The news just keeps on getting worse for the Penguins, as Michael Bunting will be out long-term, possibly season-ending, after undergoing appendix surgery.
Penguins left-winger Michael Bunting underwent successful surgery to remove his appendix yesterday, head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. He doesn't have a timeline for a return but will miss at least a few weeks at the minimum.
The 29-year-old Bunting had two points in his last five games, including an assist in Tuesday's 6-1 slaughter at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers.
He's the third player to undergo an appendectomy this season, joining Ducks goalie John Gibson and Canadiens blue-liner Kaiden Guhle.
His absence is not a huge blow for Pittsburgh at this part of the season. Now out of the Eastern Conference playoff race and on pace to finish the season with barely 75 points, the Penguins will likely be sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
Bunting is signed for next season as well
Bunting, signed through next season at a $4.5 million cap hit, wasn't expected to be one of the players that was going to be traded by GM Kyle Dubas.
Acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in last season's Jake Guentzel trade, Bunting has not been that great in 2024-25 after finishing the 2023-24 season with 19 points in 21 games for the Pens.
He's been durable, playing 58 of their 60 games, but his point production has dropped to only 14 goals and 15 assists, for 29 points.
If Gibson's and Guhle's return timelines give any idea, Bunting should miss around four to six weeks.
That means he should be back in the lineup with a few games left on the Penguins' schedule, although it's fair to say his likelihood of returning this season is uncertain in the event that complications or setbacks arise.
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/533020.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) warms up prior to the during the first periodau- during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532771.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) warms up prior to the during the first periodau- during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
